Astros notes: Top pitching prospects arrive, injury updates and more

Catcher: Jason Castro. Obviously, the first round choice in 2010 is the Astros’ hope for the future. After missing all of 2011 with injuries, whether Castro’s stock rises or falls will be on full view this season.
less

Catcher: Jason Castro. Obviously, the first round choice in 2010 is the Astros’ hope for the future. After missing all of 2011 with injuries, whether Castro’s stock rises or falls will be on full view this ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

Image 2 of 14

First Base: Jonathan Singleton. As the 39th ranked player in the latest Baseball America prospect rankings, he’s obviously the odds on to be the next long-term solution at first base for Houston.

First Base: Jonathan Singleton. As the 39th ranked player in the latest Baseball America prospect rankings, he’s obviously the odds on to be the next long-term solution at first base for Houston.

Image 3 of 14

Second Base: Jose Altuve/Delino Deshields. BA projects Deshields. We’ll probably find out this year whether or not Altuve will be a competitor for the spot when Deshields is ready in a few years.

Second Base: Jose Altuve/Delino Deshields. BA projects Deshields. We’ll probably find out this year whether or not Altuve will be a competitor for the spot when Deshields is ready in a few years.

Image 4 of 14

Third Base: Jimmy Paredes. See Altuve above. Since Mike Kvasnicka moved back to catcher, not many solutions in the system. Though BA says 3B will be Paredes, how many of you believe Paredes will end up at third base long term?
less

Third Base: Jimmy Paredes. See Altuve above. Since Mike Kvasnicka moved back to catcher, not many solutions in the system. Though BA says 3B will be Paredes, how many of you believe Paredes will end up at ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 5 of 14

Shortstop: Jonathan Villar. Currently ranked fourth in the Astros’ system, the 20-year-old could arrive in Houston at some point in 2013. Could get interesting since Jed Lowrie — new GM Jeff Luhnow’s first acquisition — is under team control through 2014.
less

Shortstop: Jonathan Villar. Currently ranked fourth in the Astros’ system, the 20-year-old could arrive in Houston at some point in 2013. Could get interesting since Jed Lowrie — new GM Jeff Luhnow’s ... more

Image 6 of 14

Left field: J.D. Martinez. While not a sure bet, many fans are penciling him into the #3 slot for a while.

Left field: J.D. Martinez. While not a sure bet, many fans are penciling him into the #3 slot for a while.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 14

Center field: George Springer. Ah, yes, all eyes this season will be on the Astros’ first round pick in the 2011 draft. He would have to move through the system fast to make it by next season. 2014 is more realistic. Is he a center fielder though?
less

Center field: George Springer. Ah, yes, all eyes this season will be on the Astros’ first round pick in the 2011 draft. He would have to move through the system fast to make it by next season. 2014 is more ... more

Photo: Bob Levey / Getty

Image 8 of 14

Right field: Domingo Santana. The 6-5, 19-year-old is BA’s projection for the spot, although Telvin Nash could make a run at the position as well.

Right field: Domingo Santana. The 6-5, 19-year-old is BA’s projection for the spot, although Telvin Nash could make a run at the position as well.

Image 9 of 14

The rotation

Bud Norris.He would be in his sixth major league season as a 28-year-old in 2014. If he masters his pitches, he could serve at or near the top of the rotation.

The rotation

Bud Norris.He would be in his sixth major league season as a 28-year-old in 2014. If he masters his pitches, he could serve at or near the top of the rotation.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

Image 10 of 14

Jared Cosart. One of the products of the Hunter Pence trade has many Astros’ fans drooling. Expect him in an Astros’ uniform sometime next season.

Jared Cosart. One of the products of the Hunter Pence trade has many Astros’ fans drooling. Expect him in an Astros’ uniform sometime next season.

Jordan Lyles. Possibly another “veteran” by the time 2014 rolls around. The 2008 first rounder would be 23 by that time.

Jordan Lyles. Possibly another “veteran” by the time 2014 rolls around. The 2008 first rounder would be 23 by that time.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

Image 12 of 14

J.A. Happ. Surprised? We’ll see. Happ will be under team control through 2014 (final arb year), though it’s possible he could have priced himself out of realistic consideration by that time.

J.A. Happ. Surprised? We’ll see. Happ will be under team control through 2014 (final arb year), though it’s possible he could have priced himself out of realistic consideration by that time.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 14

Paul Clemens. He came over in the Michael Bourn trade. Projected for 2013, he could make some noise in late 2012.

Paul Clemens. He came over in the Michael Bourn trade. Projected for 2013, he could make some noise in late 2012.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

Image 14 of 14

Astros notes: Top pitching prospects arrive, injury updates and more

1 / 14

Back to Gallery

Disappointment a minors thing

For the Astros’ consensus No. 1 pitching prospect and Clear Creek graduate Jarred Cosart, Saturday began his consolation prize with the opening of minor league minicamp for top Astros pitching hopefuls.

“I was bummed at first about not coming to big league camp, but it happens and there’s nothing I can do about it — I can’t control it,” Cosart said. “That’s what (director of player development Fred Nelson) and all the guys told me today, to come out here and pitch.

“Getting down here early just helps me get a little jump on everybody else coming to minor league camp.”

Cosart, who came to the Astros in the Hunter Pence trade, joined six other hurlers in reporting a week earlier than the rest of the minor league pitchers and catchers. Jake Buchanan, Mike Foltynewicz, Brett Oberholtzer, Ross Seaton, Jason Stoffel and Josh Zeid also took part in drills.

They were told to prepare as if they were going to get an inning or two in a big league Grapefruit League game.

“They’re here to get a little extra attention and provide some innings relief in big league games,” general manager Jeff Luhnow said. “I hope we can get all of them some innings.”

The rest of the minor league pitchers and catchers will begin their workouts March 4 with full-squad workouts starting March 8. Until that first date, it will just be a few top pitchers and their backstops looking to make an impression and learn from both their own coaches and the big league staffers who pass through.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Foltynewicz, a first-round pick in 2010. “Later on down the road, this is going to be a great Houston Astros team. We’ve got a lot of good arms and I’m really excited for the future.”

Injury updates

Wandy Rodriguez, who ended Thursday’s workout with back stiffness, threw his regularly scheduled bullpen session Saturday and is back on a normal track.

Jimmy Paredes has been cleared for light swinging in Sunday’s full-squad workout as he recovers from a left wrist injury.

Angel Sanchez could be limited in early full-squad activities with back tightness. He has been at the spring training complex for days but hasn’t been active in workouts.

Reliever Sergio Escalona was held out of his bullpen session as he nurses his hyperextended elbow back to health.

He’ll throw Sunday, manager Brad Mills said of Escalona.

All hands finally on deck at camp

Owner Jim Crane will have an audience with the entire team when the club reports for its first full-squad workout Sunday.

The Astros will meet at 9 a.m. (EST) before taking the field, at which time the remaining absentees are expected to be in camp.

Manager Brad Mills anticipated no visa problems or other delays.

Other than Carlos Lee and prospects Jonathan Singleton and Jonathan Villar, all the Astros had reported to the Kissimmee complex by the start of Saturday morning’s workout.